The History Of The Pet Rock
Origin of Thought
In 1975, Gary Dahl, an advertising executive, launched the sale of a fad that would make him a millionaire. This great profit is even more impressive when one takes into account the short time in which the rocks were sold, only six months, and also the low cost of the product, about four dollars. Dahls ingenious marketing involved commonplace gray pebbles, bought from a construction supplier, which were then sold as live pets. The idea was inspired by the hassle, mess, and money that pets such as cats or dogs or fish required. And so, Dahl began the production and sale of the Pet Rock, which did not need to be walked, wouldnt cost hundreds in vet bills, and would not poop on the floor.
Specifics of Production
Dahl named the company “Rock Bottom Productions,” and sold the rocks for $3.95 a piece. The pebbles were imported from Rosarito Beach in Baja California, Mexico, and then packaged in a small cardboard box, designed like a pet carrier. Dahl also created a “Pet Rock Training Manual,” containing instructions on how to properly care for one’s pet, including how to house train ones pet: “Place it on some old newspapers. The rock will never know what the paper is for and will require no further instruction. The instruction manual included such commands as sit, stay, roll over, play dead, and come.
Why would anyone ever buy a pet rock?
“If there were more fads, there would probably be a lot fewer psychiatrists.” Ben Hakuta, creator of Wacky Wall Walkers
Indeed, pet rocks give us more pleasure than we know. These pets support this argument through their very existence, showing us that it is not an actual item that brings joy to the child in the human mind, but merely the idea of the item. The pet sits in a niche in the mind, created by the power of the owners imaginations. It is in the actual exercise of the mind that such pleasure is found. It is quite a valid point that finding such productive and effective uses of recreation time can be more preventative and beneficial to the health of our minds that even the most advanced psychological treatments.
People who purchased these unusual “pets” often gave them names, talked to them, petted them, and taught them to perform simple “tricks”.
Pet rocks still live on
Like most fads, it never totally died out. There are memorial pages, spin-offs, and one can still purchase such a pet, though new manufacturers have given their rocks new features and looks. For instance, not many plain gray pebbles are sold any more. One can buy rocks that are inscribed, painted, and decorated in many a manner, lending the rock much more personality than afforded Dahls creation. One can purchase a rock with an agenda, or one can buy a rock that is individually painted in memory of any dearly loved pet, or one can still purchase that rock that is completely void of previous perception, and let its idea grow in the mind.
Virtual Pets
Virtual Pets follow the same formula as Dahls product. Operating more in the mind of the owner than anywhere else, Virtual pets can be an electronic toy, a computer program, or even a video game. However, though perhaps securing more time from an owner, virtual pets do not leave as much room for imagination as the pet rock.
Animals Are A Human’s Best Friend- And They Need Better Care Too
It is no secret that animals are deemed as the best companions that human beings can have. Having a pet is as ancient as civilization itself and the phenomenon are continuing till date. The species on earth have found mutual harmony in their shared existence and that is something that nature intended to be. But, not always are the loyal companions of the human beings are treated with the amount of care that they surely deserve. It is heartbreaking to see that many animals succumb to untimely death, thanks to the deprivation of the very basic health care that is needed.
In developed and developing countries animal wellness is a major social issue with people being more aware about the upkeep of their pets. As the owners, it goes beyond just feeding the pet. One has to make sure that their pets are in the best hygiene condition and also maintains the basic good health parameters. Timely and regular checkups are the keywords here by virtue of which pet owners can resist a number of ailments in their pets. There are numbers of veterinary clinics or animal hospitals about in any major metropolis and even in the suburbs. It only takes a little effort from the viewpoint of the pet owners to take their pets for diagnosis in a few months time.
Much progress has been made in the field of veterinary science in recent times and that is something that will come to the aid of pet owners in the near future. The one aspect of animal science that has made much improvement is surgeries in animal hospitals. Advanced means of life saving surgeries like amputation and more are now possible without much danger to the animals life. This essentially means some more years of life for the animals, even if they attain an injury.
It is evident from the decreasing death rates among animals in developing countries that the steps towards animal wellness are yielding good results. Much work is still to be done; given the advancement in veterinary science is recent years. One can only expect the situation in developing countries to better in times to come. It is the government too who can play a vital role in the overall scheme of things. Grants alone wont do as regular supervision is also necessary. There is a fine line in splurging and optimum use, especially when it comes to animal wellness. That fine line can only be maintained by proper intervention from the government.
[Top]Borax To Kill Fleas
Borax is not as common as the white, powdery baking soda that we all have in our kitchen shelves. But, it is also a versatile product that has several applications, especially in beauty products, laundry and cleaning tasks. When we talk about home uses of borax, fleas killing is the first thing that comes to homeowners. Before we discuss about using borax to kill fleas outside and inside homes, let’s take a look at the chemical composition and basic info regarding borax powder.
What is Borax Powder?
The term borax is derived from burax, Persian word used used for borate salts. Borax is used to define boron mineral or boric acid salt, which appears soft, white or colorless crystals. With chemical formula, Na2B4O710H2O, it is also known as disodium tetraborate sodium tetraborate, or simply sodium borate. In nature, this mineral is formed due to repeated evaporation of lake water. The naturally occurring borax mineral forms the base compound for making borax powder. It is sold in almost all grocery centers, and you will find it in the detergent section.
How to Use Borax to Kill Fleas?
Fleas are nasty, blood suckers that infect pet dogs and cats. These parasites often become household problem, as they drop down in hiding places for laying eggs. In such a case, using borax powder to kill fleas work by dehydrating them. A word of caution regarding safe borax uses is, this white colored, water soluble powder causes irritation to skin, eyes and throat (when inhaled). Hence, while handling borax crystals or powder for controlling fleas, make sure you wear safety gloves, dust mask and protective eye glasses. The following are some tips on how to use borax to kill fleas.
* As a first step for flea control, locate the areas that are highly prone to flea infestation. You should inspect the carpets, bedding, pet enclosures, lawns and home surrounding. Check those areas around the house, where your pet dog prefers to rest or sleep.
* The thick carpet fibers serve a perfect hiding place for flea eggs and larvae. They even spend in the carpets for a long period, until favorable condition arrives. For such a problem, applying borax is an excellent step towards killing fleas in carpet.
* While applying borax to kill fleas in carpet, break the clumps (if any) and strain through a mess. If required, conduct a spot test to check if this boric acid salt causes fading of carpet or not. If it doesn’t cause discoloration, continue using borax.
* Spray borax sparsely all over the carpet, and use a broom to make the powder penetrate deep inside the fibers. Leave borax powder in the carpet for at least 2 days, making sure that pets and children do not enter the room.
* This treatment period is important for getting rid of fleas effectively. Then, vacuum clean carpet twice to remove traces of borax powder, and throw the bags. Repeat these steps after every 2 weeks to get rid of fleas effectually.
* In case, you notice flea eggs in the infested sites, use borax and salt to kill fleas completely. Sprinkle the salt before applying borax powder, as this will cause dessication of the eggs. Following this, use borax for killing flea larvae and adults.
* Speaking of using borax to kill fleas in yard, it is rather a challenging task, as the treatment area is open and large. You can proceed for it during sunny days. Before applying borax for fleas, allow lawn to dry by stopping irrigation for 3 days.
* In a plastic tub, mix 2 parts each of borax and diatomaceous earth with one part salt. Sprinkle this mixture all over the lawn, and rake the area properly. Leave for 3 days; during this time, keep your pets out of the yard. Water lawn to wash off the chemicals.
Once you open the borax powder package, you need to use within two to three years. To increase its shelf life, always keep it in a dry place, out of excess moisture. The best part with using borax to kill fleas is that it is very convenient to use, provided that you avoid direct contact and inhalation. What’s more, this effective insect killing powder is safer and less expensive, as compared to other chemical based insecticides sold in the market.
[Top]Helping Your Dog Get Along With Other Family Pets
If you have, or are planning to have, a multi-pet household, one of the first things to consider will be the breed of dog you want. Some breeds of dog are friendlier than other breeds and include poodles, beagles, cavalier spaniels, and retrievers. These breeds, among many others, will be more likely to accept another dog or pet in the home, while other breeds may present some problems. Always remember that all dogs are individuals and you will find variation in personality in all breeds.
Some dog breeds were developed to participate in dog fights and these breeds may be best in single-pet households – pit bulldog, Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, and Akita are all dog breeds that have a high level of dog-to-dog aggression, and they are often aggressive to other pets as well.
While some hunting dogs, such as Labrador or Golden Retrievers are calm dogs that will accept all pets, some breeds still have a high prey drive and will hunt and chase smaller pets in the home, such as cats, rabbits, and Guinea pigs. Afghan hounds and Dachshunds will never be trustworthy around smaller pets, and this should not be held against them, it is simply their innate nature.
If you are bringing a dog into a household where there are already cats, or are adopting a cat, you should remember that the cat will probably be terrified of the dog, regardless of the dog’s docility. Some dogs have absolutely no interest in bothering cats, while others will look forward to a good chase. However, except in extreme cases, it shouldn’t be difficult to get your dog and cat to at least be respectful of one another.
A puppy, naturally, will be easier to train to accept a cat. Because the personality of the pup is still developing, familiarity with cats at an early age will lessen the chances that the adult dog will act aggressively towards them.
Regardless of the age of your dog, however, keep the dog and cat separated to begin with. The cat will probably be frightened of the dog and must be allowed to become accustomed gradually to it. Keeping the animals in separate rooms, but allowing them to sniff at one another through a gate is a good way to promote tolerance, and hopefully friendship.
When the cat and dog actually meet face to face, have both of them on a leash, they will be much easier to control. Make sure that you reward with treats for good behavior, and don’t bother yelling if things go wrong, it will only make the situation more emotionally charged.
If the pets involved will be two dogs, keep in mind that dogs of the same sex are less likely to get along than opposites. A male and a female dog will be more likely to become friends than two females, and two males may actually fight.
The size of the dog will also have a bearing on how the adjustment will go, regardless of whether you are introducing a puppy or kitten. Regardless of how friendly and tolerant the dog may be, large or giant dogs can inadvertently harm smaller pets when trying to play with them.
Dogs can be taught to accept and even be friendly to ferrets, birds, rabbits, and other small pets, but still should never be left alone with them. You should always cage small animals if they are going to be alone with the dog when you are not present.
As it has been scientifically proven that dogs have the same set of emotions that humans do, and that their brains respond in the same way, it’s not too surprising that jealousy is among the emotions dogs can feel. Dogs have been living with humans for tens of thousands of years and have shaken off much of their old canine loyalties and transferred them to people.
Some dogs are so attached to their owners that they will even be jealous of inanimate objects, in much the same way that a child may become jealous of the telephone if mother talks on it too much. Never make light of jealousy in a dog, especially in a large breed, as it can result in attacks on people or other pets.
[Top]Marketsandmarkets Advanced Pet (positron Emission Tomography) & Spect Global Market (2010 -2015)
The report analyzes the MarketsandMarkets : Advanced PET (Positron Emission Tomography) & SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) Global Market (2010 -2015) by technologies and applications and studies the major market drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the PET SPECT market inU.S., EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
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Propelled by the transparent reimbursement policies, new emerging economies, novel applications such as Alzheimers and continually expanding oncology application segment, the global positron emission tomography (PET) market is estimated to reach around $6.3 billion in 2010.
Reimbursement plays a major role in the adoption of any medical imaging technology. The approval of PET scanning reimbursement in theU.S.by the Medicare and Medicaid for the Alzheimers disease widened the opportunities for the major market participants. Currently, there are approximately 4.7 million Alzheimers patients in theU.S. PET enables the radiologist to have the early diagnosis of the Alzheimer disease among the patients. Therefore, this would further increase the demand of the PET scanners among the various health care centers.
Similarly, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanners have been on the forefront to bring about significant changes in the diagnostic imaging equipment landscape by opening up numerous lucrative opportunities in niche market such as neuroendocrine tumor imaging. Moreover, technological advancements such as attenuation correction and image acquisition/reconstruction tools have enhanced SPECT end users confidence in its diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. The global PET SPECT market is expected to grow from an estimated $6.5 billion in 2010 to $10.3 billion in 2015, at an estimated CAGR of 9.4% from 2010 to 2015. The PET segment is estimated to account for the largest share i.e. 75% of the overall PET SPECT installations at 3,691 units in 2010. This segment is expected to reach 6,390 units in 2015, at a CAGR of 11.6% for the same period.
The PET/CT segment accounted for the largest share i.e. 97% of the overall PET market at an estimated $6.1 billion in 2010. This segment is expected to reach $ 9.8 billion in 2015, at a CAGR of 9.8% for the period 2010 to 2015. Oncology and cardiology are the most significant applications of the PET SPECT market. Oncology accounts for about 90% of the PET market, whereas cardiology accounts for about 85% of SPECT application market. Neurological application of PET and SPECT is a niche market and is dependent on the development of appropriate radionuclides and tracers.
Scope of the report
This research report categorizes the global PET SPECT market on the basis of technology, application, and geography; forecasting revenues and analyzing trends in each of the following submarkets:
On the basis of technology:
Stand alone PET, PET/CT, stand alone SPECT and SPECT/CT
On the basis of application:
Oncology, non small cell lung cancer, Hodgkin and non Hodgkin lymphoma, head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer; cardiology and neurology
On the basis of geography:
U.S., EMEA (Europe, Middle East andAfrica), Asia-Pacific and Rest of the world
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